To be honest, I think the only reason that I like this summer collection is because of the packaging. It’s a “print” that is found throughout my home decor. (Think Thomaspaul creepy sealife prints found on pillows, etc. and antique sealife prints). The motifs are the ones featured on the model’s ill-fitting swimsuit. The colors aren’t anything new. In fact, many are the same colors MAC has all year but in snazzy summer packaging.

The collection describes itself as such: “The seaside has a kind of golden, sexy alchemy we’re all drawn to. This collection encapsulates it with the most soothing, sultry shades of summertime. A safe way to bronze, beautify, and get colour that looks sun-kissed. Close your eyes, and go To The Beach!” This is true. What would a summer collection be without bronzers and golden tones?After seeing this collection on-line, I ran to the local MAC store.

EYES: There are 5 Eyeshadows. Each are packaged in an adorable avocado fruit green with a seashell “stamped” on a see-thru window. Sand & Sun is a matte peach that is perfect for making the lids of the peaches n’cream complexions appear even. Firecracker is a shimmery reddish shade that looks much better mixed with colors than worn alone. Sweet & Punchy is a lovely chartreuse shimmer. Shimmermoss is an aqua shimmer that mixes beautifully with gold. Humid is a shimmery, deep green that makes a great smoky eye or liner. All the colors are nice but I already own Shimmermoss and Humid. I was tempted by Sweet & Punchy but I can get a similar effect with Bitter. Each retail for $14.50. There are 2 Eye Kohls that have a coral motif that matches the color of the kohl. There is Rosemary & Thyme, a medium olive shimmmer, and Float On By, a deep turquoise. Both are nice but I already own similar colors. Rosemary & Thyme would look stunning on brown-eyed redheads. The pencils retail for $14.50.

LIPS: There are 4 Lipsticks in an orange case with a seashell “stamp”. Beachbound is a neutral light shimmery peach. Lazy Day is an “everyday” dusty pink. Thrills is a rose with gold shimmer. Funbathing is a California Red Plum with bronze shimmer. I love the packaging of the lipsticks but I didn’t fall in love with any of the colors. Funbathing is nice but I didn’t love it. I think it would be a nice “plum” for deeper complexions and olive complexions. Lipsticks retail for $14. There are 3 Tinted Lipglass with an orange top and an adorable seahorse “stamp”. Colors include Easy Lounger (pale pink shimmer), Flurry of Fun (neutral peach shimmer), and Splashing (blue-ish mauve with shimmer, makes teeth appear whiter). I like the packaging but didn’t fall in love with any of the colors. These retail for $14. There are 2 Lip Pencils. The packaging matches the Eye Kohl. There is Life’s A Breeze, neutral pink, and Temperature Rising, a bright orange. I see myself using something like Temperature Rising throughout the summer but I already have an orange lip liner that I love by NYX. These go for $13.

FACE: There are 2 Powder Blushes in a “super-sized” packaging that looks like the eye shadows. Hipness is a peach shimmer and Get-Away Bronze, a medium tan. Neither of these blushes did anything for me. Hipness wasn’t “bold” enough. These retail for $18.50. There’s a beautiful High-Light Powder but it lacks the adorable sea-life motif that I love about this collection. The powder is Marine Life and it is a swirl of pearl, bronze, peach and coral. There is a cute embossed sea horse on the powder. This of course disappears with a tap of a brush. It goes for $26. There are 2 Creme Bronzers (shell “stamp”) in Beach Bronze, a golden bronze, and Weekend, an “orangey” bronze. These are nice but I wouldn’t get much use out of them in the summer. I would do better by choosing a darker foundation for summer. These retail for $25. There are 2 shades of Bronzing Powder. The powder is packaged in an orange compact with a coral motif. I love this and this is the product that I almost purchased. Shades include Golden, a warm tan, and Refined Gold, a tan with gold shimmers. I didn’t buy one of these because the colors are available all year and I love my NARS Bronzer. There are 2 Lustre Drops. This pearly cream can be worn alone or mixed with otehr products for the face and body. There is Pink Rebel, a cool shimmery pink that works nicely with pale skin tones. This shade adds “light” without being the muddy bronze that many light skins can’t wear. Sun Rush is a flattering peachy bronze shimmer. These versatile “drops” retail for $18.50.

NAILS & BODY: There are 2 Nail Lacquers. I love In The Buff. This is a taupey, muddy olive. It’s a really strange shade but this is the freakish weird olive shade that I become when I tan. I wonder if they could make a foundation powder in this shade? The other colors is Scorcher. This is a coral red. It’s pretty but so many other brands offer colors just like this one, so it isn’t special like In The Buff. These polishes retail for $12. There is a nice Body Oil. It is an oil in a pump bottle that is infused with golden tan shimmers. I imagine that this product would look amazing on legs. I wanted to buy it but a little voice reminded me that I already have the NARS oil that is almost like this and the NARS smells better. This retails for $22.

So, I didn’t leave with any of these products. It isn’t that I didn’t like any of these items or the packaging. It’s just that since I’m a cosmetic addict, I already have so many colors like these. I promised myself years ago that I wouldn’t drag an item into my collection just because of packaging alone. I don’t always live up to my promise but I have matured and put my priorities in line. So, my collection does not have any To The Beach products because I’m being reasonable and I realize I already have these colors. This is the downside to owning one of everything. The colors are summery and predictable: bronze, coral, and turquoise. This isn’t anything new so it makes sense that my collection would include these summer staples. This collection is available at MAC’s website but you’ll have better luck visiting your local MAC store or counter because the website has sold out of most products. See that packaging “got” many beauty/cosmetic addicts 🙂

Jane is one of my favorite blondes. This gal was never dressed down. This made her a star. Jane’s classic look here is perfect for all complexions, hair colors, eye colors, etc. in my opinion. It’s about false lashes and bold, matte lips.

FACE: Jane’s complexion is perfection in this look. Apply concealer where needed. I like the long-wearing formula of Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer. Apply a satin foundation like MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. Dust with a loose powder. I like Lancome Absolue Powder because it isn’t “dry” looking. It helps with a glowing complexion look and to keep foundation smooth. Apply a pink blush to cheeks such asCovergirl Classic Color Blush in Rose Silk. I really do love this color and its price.

EYES: Jane’s brows look great. To get a similar look, apply a brow pencil such as Bobbi Brown Brow Pencil in a shadow for your complexion. Brush brows with a brow brush. Apply a buttery yellow shadow to the entire eye lid area. If you prefer a powder try BareMinerals Eye Shadow in Soul, a creamy beige shadow. If you like cream, try Benefit Lemon Aid. Thickly apply a liquid liner to top lash line, about 75%, not the entire top lash line. I like Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner in Brown Black. You’ll really need false lashes to get more of the “exact” look. I would apply individual lashes or half lashes to the top lashes, really emphasizing the outer portion. Everyone has their own way of doing this. Apply mascara to bottom lashes.

LIPS: Since this is a matte lipstick look, lips should be flake free. Scrub and apply lip balm thickly to lips hours before. Apply a simple, matte pencil such as NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned. Color in the lines. I also like MAC Lipstick in Impassioned for this look. The formula is an amplified cream. It’s satin, just a little bit more glossy and “forgiving” than a full-blown matte.

I know that I’ve slacked on reviewing things. I’ve been so busy, but enough of the excuses. I’ve been really behind on commenting on new color collections. I got lost in the holiday launches. It seems like MAC comes out with a new color collection every Friday. It isn’t that they aren’t special, it’s just that I can’t keep up. Many of the colors are just renamed. The Warm and Cozy Collection doesn’t contain mind-altering colors or taboo shades. However, I am so intrigued by this collection. It’s hot stuff. I’ve craved soft fabrics in cream cashmere and apricot silk paired with copper/rose gold jewelry and shimmering complexions. This collection is that. It’s sexy in that Victoria’s Secret way: tousled hair, gilded bronze eye makeup that makes blue eyes pop, and plump lips. This complexion came out just when I was craving this. This is something different for me. I usually just rock deep lipsticks throughout the cooler months but this year I’ve done more of the bronze eye lid look with golden lips. I want candlelit shades, romance.This collection is sexy without trying too hard. The warm undertones really flatter any complexion, even my pasty PNW skin.

EYES: There are 3 simple and understated with very minimal to no shimmer Eyeshadows. The shades are Chamomile (creamy matte), Modellete (warm medium brown), and Mulled Cider (warm brown). These shades aren’t exciting but they are very versatile. Chamomile is a great shade that is a must have for doing a “vintage” look with bold lips. There are 4 shimmery Shadesticks in Cuddle, Nurture, Relaxed, and Warm & Cozy. These are all in various neutral shades with warm champagne and gold undertones. They look great alone with a few heavy coats of mascara or layered under the matte powder eyeshadows in the collection.

LIPS: There are 3 shades of Lipsticks: Siss (warm golden candlelight), Spiced Tea (warm reddish bronze shimmer), and Warm Up (gentle rosewood). Siss is my favorite. It pairs nicely with dark eye makeup. There are 4 Tinted Lip Glasses in 2N (sexy neutral pink), 3N (neutral golden brown), Feeling Dreamy (rosé wine shimmer), and Light That Fire! (rusty shimmer). I really do like all the lip glasses in this collection. They are so versatile. The Tinted Lip Conditioners have been relaunched. They’re a great product.

COMPLEXION: There are 2 Mineralize Skinfinish powders in By Candlelight (champagne shimmer) and Comfort (orangey bronze). This collection launched Care Blends Essential Oils in 2 formulas in the complexion. They are so nice. A little goes a long way and the scents are heavenly. There is Sweet Orange & Lavender and Grapefruit & Chamomile. Mineralize All OVer Body Lotion is a slightly shimmery body lotion.

I really do think that this is a perfect late winter color collection. It’s soft and cozy and it adds much needed warmth to the complexion. I can’t pull off teal eye makeup and heavy bronzers right now. My skin hasn’t seen the sun in months. I pretty much live in the Artic Circle. This is a great complexion compromise. I get a golden glow without being too “tropical vacation”. This is a champagne by the fire place kind of collection. Love it.

Josephine was such a beautiful and talented person making her a perfect icon. This is an ad for her hair product. Here look would look amazing on anyone with warm undertones. Here’s how to get this look:

FACE: Apply a concealer if needed. I love the creaminess of Lancome Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer. Apply a powder foundation such as MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. With a powder foundation, no finishing powder is really needed. Josephine’s cheeks are pretty bare. For myself, I would need a little bit of color. Apply a powder bronzer such as Clinique True Bronze Bronzer Powder in your appropriate shade to cheeks. This adds a bit of color and keeps the lipstick from “washing” you out.

EYES: In true theatrical 20’s fashion, eye brows are drawn on pencil thin. Fill in or in Josephine’s case, draw in, brows. Try a product likeCovergirl Expert Eyes Brow Pencil. The formula is a bit waxy but it does come in deeper colors. For a “candlelit” glow, apply a slightly shimmery cream shadow such asToo Faced Lockdown Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow. There are two shades of the very neutral Lovey Dovey. Choose the color that suits you. The cream shadow will help “hold” the other shadows that you will use. Choose a medium shimmery bronze such as Vincent Longo Wet Diamond Eyeshadow in Temptest Bronze. Apply this from the lash line to the crease. With eyes open, apply this bronze shade slightly “winging” out. Use the motion that you would use for cateyed liquid liner except at your crease instead of lash line. Take a deep brown shadow such as Jane Eye Zing Super Smooth Shadow in Browny Points. Apply it in the same way as the bronze except stopping just below the copper. Blend. Keep adding until you get your desired variation of a cateyed smoky eyed look. Here’s a trick for this. Take a square of TP and fold it like a triangle. Use this is a template for your shade. Hold this triangle at the outer edge of your lash line in a 45 degree angle. Brush on the shadow. You’ll get an exaggerated look and it will keep the dark colors from getting all over your face. Take a dark brown pencil liner such as Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner in Dark Brown and apply it to the upper lash line thickly and winging out. Apply this liner to the bottom lash line and inside the rim. Connect the top and bottom “lines”. Apply a nice mascara such as MAC Pro Lash to top and bottom lashes.

LIPS: Apply a rust colored lip liner such as Lipstick Queen Lip Liner in Rust around your natural lip line. Apply a sheer burnt red lipstick such as Lipstick Queen Lipstick in Rust Saint. Apply a warm coral lip gloss to lips such as MAC Tinted Lipglass in Light That Fire, a coral with gold shimmer.

Crazylilbellule & The Poppies has a Josephine inspired scent in their Les Garçonnes collection: Joséphine Jonquille. It’s a lush blend of jasmine and gourmand dark chocolate.

I love a rusty colored lip. And can one go wrong with retro cateyes? Nope.

To get beautiful Märta Torén’s look:

FACE: Marta’s complexion is flawless. Apply concealer where needed. Shiseido Concealer Stick can cover anything from blemishes to undereye circles. Follow up with foundation. Try a mousse foundation like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. This is a nice formula and it looks great if you buff it after applying with a “buff” brush. Lightly dust a translucent powder over the face. I love MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder. Apply a coral/orange powder blush to cheeks. Take a fluffy brush and apply Paul & Joe Face Color in Moroccan Orange to light-medium skin tones or a shade likeKevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow Cheek Color in Fira (a mango orange, not pictured) for medium-dark skin tones.

EYES: Marta’s eyebrows are amazing. To get a similar look, make sure everything is cleaned up, tweeze and tweeze. Take a brow pencil that is slightly powdery such as my all time favorite Lancome Le Crayon Poudre (not pictured) in your shade. Fill in brows and brush into place with the spoolie on the end. Shadow is matte and neutral. All you need are the colors that are in NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Portabello. Apply the lightest shade from lash line to brow bone. With eyes open, apply the darker shade in the compact above the crease. Blend until it looks completely seamless. Next we go to the cat eyes. Get a black gel liner like Bobbi Brown Long-Wearing Gel Liner in Caviar Ink. Take the liner brush of your choice, for me this is a fine liner art brush and apply to the top lash line and wing out. I do this with my eyes slightly open and “tugging” it into place with the other hand. Apply false lashes or a few coats of a lengthening mascara such as L’Oreal Lash Out Lengthening and Separating Mascara in Black. Apply 1-2 coats to bottom lashes.

LIPS: Lips are a soft rusty orange. Apply concealer around lips to keep color from feathering. Make sure to blend thoroughly. Apply a rusty golden shade like Lancome Color Design Lipcolor in Groupie, a great color of orange red and gold shimmer (this would look better on deeper skintones). Another great color if you want more orange is Lancome Color Designe Lipcolor in Studded. Studded is more Marta-ish. I apologize for the crummy pictures. The colors are much more vivid and lovely in real life. Apply a sheer gold lip gloss to bottom lips for a plump effect. I recommend Lipstick Queen Shine in Gold Saint.

Choosing a fragrance has been hard for this “look”. I’d have to go with Byredo Parfums Pulp. Perhaps because of the “Swedish” influences?

This 1949 pic of Esther is a bit grainy but she is still looking great. This gal transitions nicely from mermaid to snow bunny. This is how you get this wintery look:

FACE: Esther’s complexion is luminous even in the harsh winter air. Apply an illuminating foundation during these “dull” times. A nice one with more coverage is Clarins True Radiance Foundation. Apply an illuminating concealer under the eye area if needed. Almay Bright Eyes Concealer + Eye Base is a multi-use product that provides coverage and not just “shimmer” like most eye illuminators. Apply this product to lids as a base as well. Set makeup with a loose powder. Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Hydrating Mineral Veil is nice for dry winterized skin. Apply one of my favorite complexion pick-me-ups, Benefit High Beam. down the cheek bone. Blend. Apply MAC Blushcreme in Ladyblush to cheeks. Apply as much as you see fit and blend.

EYES: Brows are pencil perfect. Fill in perfectly shaped brows with a powdery eye pencil like Lancome Le Crayon Poudre Powder Pencil (not pictured) in your shade. Sculpt in to place with the spoolie. Eyes are very simple and it is all about flirty lashes. The base has evened out your lid. Apply a nude-to-you shadow. For Esther, this would be something like Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder in Gemstone, a sheer light peach. If you feel a bit more definition is needed. Apply a light brown shade to the crease. Try a shade like Maybelline ExpertWear Eyeshadow in Silken Taupe. Line top lashes with an eye liner to “thicken” lashes. I would apply a smooth liner such as Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner . Curl lashes and apply a lengthening and curling mascara like L’Oreal Panoramic Curl Extreme Mascara. Apply a few coats to top lashes and one coat to bottom lashes for a wide-eyed look.

LIPS: This is such a classic beauty look. Apply a rose lip liner such as Dior Crayon Contour Lip Liner in Candy Rose . Apply a satin rose lipstick like Milani Velvet Lips Lipstick in Lavish, a mulberry rose. Add some shine with a clear lip gloss with silver shimmer such as Lipstick Queen Shine in Silver Saint. If you really want to warm up in winter, apply DuWop Moon Venom. This adds a silver sparkle and lots of lip plumping “burn”.

And for a fragrance to finish this flirty mermaid-turned-snowbunny-look, I recommend Karl Lagerfield Kapsule Light EDT, a mix of juicy citrus, flowers, and winter spices.

Here’s another Rita Hayworth look that I love. It’s a clean, fresh, glowing look that is all about the lips. There was a reason why this woman was once voted to have the best lips in the world by the Artists League of America. I feel it’s the kind of look that will work with all complexions/hair/eye colors if they are going for a vintage look.

FACE: I say go for a glowing, satin complexion. Even out skin with NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in your shade. Apply concealer where needed. L’Oreal Visible Lift Concealer is nice for the under the eye area. Apply a sheer and not too matte loose powder like Sue Devitt Hydrating Marine Minerals Loose Powder. It has SPF 30 to keep skin looking beautiful. Cover Girl TruCheeks Blush in #1 is perfect for this look. Take a big blush and run it all over the three colors and apply to the apples of cheeks. There is enough shimmer in the blush to make skin look flawless but not “glittery”.

EYES: Rita’s brows are penciled and thin. If you must, draw brows in with a thin pencil such as Prescriptives Groom Stick for Brows in your shade. Apply a matte antique white shade such as Revlon Matte Eyeshadow in Vintage Lace all over eyes from lash line to brow. Take a sheer greenish/brownish/gray shade like Bare Escentuals Glimpse Eyeshadow in Moss and lightly apply from lash line to crease. Blend for a “natural” look. Apply a soft liner to the top lash line, something like Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil in Mahogany. Apply a few coats of mascara to top lashes (after curling) and one coat to bottom lashes.

LIPS: Apply a deep pink lip liner like Avon Ultra Luxury Lip Liner in Rosebud. Apply one of my all time favorite lip colors to the lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow. Apply MAC Clear Lipglass over the lipstick with a lip brush for added shine.